Dan Peek of America dies aged 60
Written by admin on July 27, 2011 – 11:27 pm -Dan Peek, co-founder of the folk rock band America, died on Sunday (July 24) at his home in Farmington, Missouri. He was 60-years-old.
Peek was born November 1, 1950 in Panama City, Florida, and formed America in the late 1960s with his high school friends Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell.
America scored a US number one with their self-titled debut album in 1971 and repeated the feat on the singles chart the following year with their best known track “A Horse With No Name.” Peek would record a further six albums with America, and have top ten success with the singles “Sister Golden Hair” (#1), “Tin Man” (#4), “Lonely People” (#5), “Ventura Highway” (#8) and “I Need You” (#9).
“Lonely People” was Peek’s composition and he takes the lead in this performance:
America – “Lonely People”
Peek became a born-again Christian in 1977 and left the band. The vocalist/multi-instrumentalist went on to record Contemporary Christian music, including the Grammy-nominated 1979 album “All Things Are Possible” which hit number one on the Contemporary Christian Music Chart.
Dan Peek – “All Things Are Possible”
America bandmates, Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley, have both paid tribute to Peek on the band’s website:
| I am so sorry to learn of Dan’s passing. Dan, along with Gerry & myself, formed the band “America” as teenagers after being great friends in high school during the late 60’s. It was a joyous time for the three of us, full of excitement and laughter. We created lasting music together and experienced a life that we could never have imagined. Dan was an equal and integral part of that early history, and I have never forgotten the good times we spent making that music and learning about life together. Although we eventually went our separate ways, his contributions to the music of “America” have always been present and will last forever. This news brings great sadness. My sincere condolences go out to his wife, Catherine, and the entire Peek family. May Dan rest in peace, and his memory be cherished forever.” |
– Dewey Bunnell
| “I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Dans passing. He was a dear friend for many years. Dan & his music will live on in the great songs he shared with us all. My sincere condolences go out to Catherine and the entire Peek family. May he rest in peace.” |
– Gerry Beckley
America will be among the 2012 recipients of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Tags: A Horse With No Name, America, Dan Peek, Dan Peek death, Dan Peek obituary, Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley, I Need You, Lonely People, Sister Golden Hair, Tin Man, Ventura Highway
Posted in Folk, Obituaries |
